Compare 13 Statistics. programs in the South. Average earnings: $70,208.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Statistics tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $40,467 to $113,854—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Duke University's Statistics program leads with graduates earning $113,854, nearly triple the field's minimum and well above the $70,208 average. Virginia Tech follows at $82,965, proving that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective institutions—Tech accepts 57% of applicants compared to Duke's 6.8%.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Duke graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 2.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.11.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $113,854 | 46 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Excellent |
| #2 | $82,965 | 37 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $79,450 | 27 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Manageable |
| #4 | $76,759 | 43 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $75,555 | 59 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | University Of FloridaPublic | $74,408 | 59 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good |
| #7 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $70,287 | 39 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Manageable |
| #8 | $69,543 | 25 | $21,500 | Excellent | $31,393 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $64,697 | 50 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Manageable |
| #10 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $60,714 | 78 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Challenging |
| #11 | $58,920 | 40 | $18,190 | Excellent | $16,036 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $45,091 | 18 | $24,929 | Manageable | $26,683 | High | |
| #13 | $40,467 | 28 | $17,988 | Manageable | $15,541 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
